6 of the Best
Discovering Arts & Culture
As new arrivals quickly discover, Singapore offers much more than just malls. Across the island, you’ll find must-see museums and galleries filled with world-class artworks and exhibitions, performance places for seeing amazing shows, centres of worship (from tiny shrines to towering temples) and other centres of culture. The following six pages comprise our pocket guide to the best places to go for your fill of the island’s artier side. 6Great Galleries & Museums
If you love looking at world- class artworks and exhibitions, here are some of the places you need to make a beeline towards in Singapore.
#1 National Gallery Singapore
The National Gallery opened its doors to the public in 2015 and is the permanent home for the National Collection, as well as other Southeast Asian works from the 19th century to present day. Located in the Civic District, the Gallery occupies the former City Hall and Supreme Court heritage buildings, making it the largest visual arts venue in Singapore, and in the region – matching established museums like the Musée d’orsay (France) and Tate Modern (UK) in size. nationalgallery.sg Psst! If you happen to be more “foodie” than “arty”, a visit to the National Gallery is still a must; at last count, there were eight places to wine and dine in the complex, from modern French at Odette to spectacular skyline views from Aura Sky Lounge.
#2 Asian Civilisations Museum
Situated directly across the river from Boat Quay and the Fullerton Hotel, the Asian Civilisations Museum has 11 galleries, showcasing over 1,300 artefacts from China, Southeast Asia and West Asia. The museum has an action-packed event schedule to suit all ages, cultures and tastes. acm.org.sg
#3 Artscience Museum
Featuring 21 galleries, this iconic, lotus-inspired building is a leading venue for major international touring exhibitions, hosting exhibits showcasing everything from Annie Leibovitz photography to Japanese technology; at the time of this guide’s publication, an exhibition of the incredible “Strandbeests” or windpowered machines of Dutch sculptor Theo Jansen was set to open. The museum sits in front of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, near the Double Helix Bridge. marinabaysands.com/artsciencemuseum
#4 Peranakan Museum
Peranakans are part Chinese, part Malay, and part descendants of the original non- Malay inhabitants of Singapore. The Peranakan Museum, located around the corner from the National Museum, consists of 10 permanent galleries, each of which explores various aspects of Peranakan life including the elaborate 12- day Peranakan wedding, the role of nyonyas (Peranakan women) and traditional foods. peranakanmuseum.sg
#5 National Museum of Singapore
Currently the country’s largest museum, the National Museum of Singapore is housed in a stunning 120-year-old neoclassical building on Stamford Road near Fort Canning Park. The museum features a 2,800-square-metre Singapore History Gallery and four creative “living” galleries, which explore local culture, film, food and fashion. nationalmuseum.sg
#6 Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
Far from playing second fiddle to the National Gallery since the latter’s opening in 2015, SAM – Singapore’s first art museum, which opened in 1996 in a former mission school – is about to receive a $90 million facelift. When it’s finished in 2021, guests will be able to enjoy large-scale installations in a bigger space. The adjoining SAM at 8Q will remain open during the renovations. nhb.gov.sg/sam